I am interested to know why several people have written to The Argus recently complaining about the current condition of Rottingdean pond.

What do people expect a pond to look like after a long, surprisingly cold winter when all the plants have been hammered by the elements?

The submerged plants have been destroyed by ice while the marginals, such as reeds, have had their leaves browned by the icy winds and have died back.

But through the wonder of nature all will recover within the next month or two and the pond will become as healthy and picturesque as it has been in the past couple of years, thanks to the efforts of Rottingdean Preservation Society and others.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I find Rottingdean pond has become a wonderful wildlife habitat and a credit to Rottingdean village.

So let’s watch out for signs of spring to transform the pond into a sparkling jewel, with dragonflies flitting from plant to plant and the moorhens and ducks bringing up their young for the delight of everyone.

Roger Musselle
Downs Valley Road, Woodingdean